Royal Navy frigate nabs £65m worth of drugs in the Indian Ocean

Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth intercepted a fishing dhow carrying £65m worth of cannabis and heroin in the Indian Ocean, the Royal Navy announced on Wednesday without specifying when the action took place.

The navy further said sailors aboard the Type 23 frigate destroyed 455kg of cannabis and 266kg of heroin after finding it hidden in the freezer of a fishing boat.

The suspicious dhow had been spotted by the ship in an area not normally known for fishing.

HMS Monmouth deployed two boarding teams in fast rigid inflatable boats to intercept the dhow. Once aboard, the teams spent 60 hours searching the vessel for narcotics, before eventually finding them hidden in a freezer beneath three tonnes of ice.

Commander Ian Feasey, HMS Monmouth’s commanding officer, said: “Such a substantial seizure of drugs will deal a significant blow to the international narcotics trade which is known to provide funding for terrorist organisations.

“I am extremely proud of the professionalism, diligence and perseverance of my boarding team to achieve a result in such arduous conditions. This has been an effort by the whole ship’s company and their efforts speak volumes about the Royal Navy’s ability and commitment to preventing illegal activity on the high seas.”

HMS Monmouth is currently on a nine-month deployment to the Middle East where she is aiding the fight against drug smugglers, terrorists, and people traffickers.